Vegan, recycled, cruelty-free
Choosing the right materials is at the forefront of each collection, and in many ways is the most important part of the design process. Every single material used in a Mashu bag is 100% vegan, and has been carefully selected for it’s sustainable qualities.
100% VEGAN
MADE IN THE EU
RATED GOOD
VERIFIED BY RENOON
1% FOR THE PLANET
Our materials
Uppeal
Apple leather is a sustainable alternative to traditional leather, made from leftover cellulose fibers from the apple juicing industry and rejected apples. Gathered in Tyrol, Italy, it's repurposed in Milan.
The waste from juicing and jams is usually thermally destroyed or deposited in landfills. Currently there is an estimate of 30,000 tons of apple waste. Each meter contains 8 apples.
The backing of this material is made from GRS certified polyester and cotton.
Uppeal is made in Italy, their factory implements green energy which has been certified.
To care for your Apple leather bag, wipe spills immediately, avoid harsh chemicals, and store in the provided dust bag away from damp or sunlit areas.
BioVeg
Bioveg is an Italian-made vegan leather (PETA certified) made with recycled polyester from plastic bottles and bio polyols, obtained from non-food and GMO-free corn crops.
BioVeg has an LCA certification (Life cycle assessment) which determines the environmental impact connected to the individual production steps of the materials.
80% of the energy is self generated with a solvent recovery system recapturing 99% yield along with solar powered energy throughout the factory.
BioVeg is GRS (global recycle standard) certified and FSC certified.
To care for your Bioveg bag, wipe spills promptly, avoid harsh chemicals, and store in the provided dust bag away from damp and sunlit areas.
Lignify
Lignify is a sustainable alternative to traditional leather, made from lignin, a natural polymer and by-product of the paper industry. Instead of being discarded or incinerated, lignin is repurposed into a durable, flexible, and eco-conscious material.
The backing of Lignify is made from GRS-certified recycled polyester and cotton, ensuring circularity and low environmental impact.
Lignify is produced in Turkey in factories that implement green energy and sustainable production practices, combining high-performance material properties with responsible manufacturing.
To care for your Lignify bag, wipe spills immediately, avoid harsh chemicals and store in the provided dust bag away from damp or sunlit areas.
Yatay-R
Yatay-R is a recycled, animal-free alternative to leather, developed using GRS-certified recycled materials, primarily recycled polyester. It is designed to give new life to pre- and post-consumer waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or the environment.
By reusing existing materials, Yatay-R helps reduce CO₂ emissions, energy use, and reliance on virgin fossil-based resources.
The material is developed and produced in Italy, following strict quality and environmental standards, and engineered to offer durability, structure, and a refined, suede-like finish suitable for long-lasting accessories
To care for your Yatay bag, spot clean with a damp cloth, avoid harsh chemicals and store in the provided dust bag away from damp or sunlit areas.
Organic cotton
We use GOTS-certified organic cotton from the Aegean region, sourced via a supplier in the Netherlands. GOTS certification ensures the cotton is free from GMOs, harmful chemicals, and child labor. The cotton also avoids allergenic dyes. Organic cotton production involves environmentally friendly pest control, manual weed removal, and manual picking without defoliation. Additionally, it emphasises responsible water management and soil restoration through natural fertilisation.
We use organic cotton in most of our linings. If you should get any stains on the lining, use a damp cloth to wipe it or wet wipe to remove stain. Depending on the bag you have you might be able to pull the lining slightly out of the bag to spot clean it with some water or a gentle fabric stain remover.
“Transparency in our supply chain is crucial. You cannot begin your sustainability journey without knowing where everything comes from, and who has made it.”
Ioanna Topouzoglou
MASHU FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Why we don’t use leather
Between the tannery and the dye house, leather receives multiple applications of chemical preservatives, colorants, stiffeners, and modifiers to give it its desired finish. These additives are harmful to the environment and human health, and make the material impossible to biodegrade.
On top of the leather production process, animal husbandry is one of the leading causes of climate change, due to the heavy use of resources needed including land, water, food and fuel.
As a brand, we are acutely aware that some vegan leather alternatives can be just as harmful in terms of resources used. That’s why we spend a huge amount of our time researching to find the lowest impact alternatives to leather available in the market. Our efforts, findings and solutions are ever evolving.
Working with local artisans
Our production ethos pivots around the idea of local. Our handbags are made in Athens, Greece by small, family run factories or individual artisans. We collaborate to improve our practises and reduce waste in the production process.
Every single part of the Mashu bag is sourced from within the EU, with the exception of our zips. Sourcing and manufacturing locally builds a healthier economy, has a smaller carbon footprint and supports the region’s workforce.
Free repairs for life
Our ethos has always been to buy less, and buy better. We offer all Mashu customers complimentary repairs on their bags for life.
By doing this, we aim to encourage a slower consumption mindset, where Mashu customers see their bag as something to be cherished for a lifetime, not a season.
We aim to progress, learn and evolve to reduce our impact and operate as sustainably and ethically as possible, with every season.
If you have any questions about our materials and how to care for them please contact us at customercare@itsmashu.com
